Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy affects the legs and is caused by brain damage. Severity varies, with mild cases showing an unusual gait and severe cases requiring a wheelchair. Treatment includes medication, bracing, and physical therapy. Common complications include mental retardation, seizures, and communication disorders.
Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy is the most common form of cerebral palsy, making up over 70% of known cases. Like all forms of cerebral palsy, it is caused by trauma to the brain shortly before, during, or after birth. There is no cure for the condition, only treatments that can help make living with the condition easier.
Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy affects the legs directly, with some mild affliction in the arms. Like all forms of cerebral palsy, it is caused by damage or abnormalities in the brain. In the case of spastic diplegia, these disruptions affect the brain’s ability to communicate and control how the legs move and respond to stimuli. As a result, it causes tension in the leg muscles which can make walking awkward, difficult, or in some cases completely impossible. Tremors and other involuntary movements are also common.
Cases of spastic diplegia cerebral palsy are classified according to their severity. Individuals with mild diplegia may show only mild symptoms, such as an unusual gait or limp. Many times they can walk unassisted and require little additional care.
Those with moderate cases of spastic diplegia can sometimes walk on their own, but may need aids such as crutches or a walker for daily travel. They will often require the need for a wheelchair if they travel long distances. Individuals with severe spastic diplegia cerebral palsy may be completely unable to walk and need a wheelchair or other assistance at all times.
In addition to impaired motor function in the legs, there are other conditions commonly found in people diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. More than 60 percent of those with the condition will also have some form of mental retardation or learning disability, and 50 percent may experience repeated seizures. Other common complications of cerebral palsy can include stunted growth, vision problems, and spinal problems such as scoliosis.
Children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy are more likely to have communication disorders affecting speech, vision, and hearing. Their poor motor control can also extend to the muscles in their throat and mouth, leading them to suffer from excessive drooling. Poor muscle control related to cerebral palsy can also lead to partial or complete incontinence.
Treatment for all types of cerebral palsy, including spastic diplegia, tends to include a combination of medications, bracing, and physical therapy. Surgery is sometimes an option, but it’s most effective on younger children who experience early symptoms of the condition.
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